Reading people experiences with water pressure surges got me thinking about running only off onboard tank. Campground I parked at, left me 10' short of attaching to the trailer, but could reach onboard tank.also took note, the "host" a traveling full timer, kept his water turned off, along with a higher quality pressure regulator AND and pressure gauge on his water line.It was actually fine, and gave me a good idea on when I needed to dump grey tank. As the fresh water tank was run down, grey tank needed to be dumped :)Have ordered an accumulator.

I always do.The campground I stay at in winter has a habit of water line breaks, I don't have to mess with pressure regulators and hoses, leaks, or run out a gallon of water to get rid of the hose taste.And yes, you can approximate your gray tank level by how much water you've used.

I don't necessarily use the fresh water tank all the time, but there's always fresh water in it. Couple of times, there was a problem with the Campground water so we used the onboard tank, and if we leave the RV for any length of time and I am hooked to water, I shut off the water and even shut my secondary shut off at my 45degree brass fitting inline at my water filter

We also often use the tank/pump. We almost always drive with a full fresh water IF it's good tasting water and hence no concern about the next water for drinking. Yes we drink water from the tank and never had a problem in 30 years likely do to the occasional treated city water.

Running from tank when on a water site is a viable option at times for many reasons.I have done it on occasion , but I prefer to use CG water most of the time

One nice thing about being "unplugged" from city water is as long as you keep your water pump off you don't have to worry about internal water leaks springing up on you while you are away or asleep. About the only benefit to full hookups for me is you don't have to be as stingy with the water when showering.

Running only off of onboard tank | Good Sam Community

bobm253
Explorer
Jul 31, 2019
Only use water from my onboard tank. Use the campground water to refill tank only. We drink and cook with filtered water brought from home or bought on the road.
belairbrian
Explorer
Jul 31, 2019
When we were starting out we had a major leak, luckily the camper stayed dry. We were using one of those cheap pressure regulators, the ones that come free in your starter kit.

We were sitting outside when my wife said she heard water. Walked around back and there is a geyser coming out of the outside shower. cold water knob was about six feet away. No water that night capped of the line in the morning.

Since then I've used a Watts house style regulator.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2019
philh wrote:
Bobbo wrote:
The only time I hook to shore water is when we are hosting one of the teenage granddaughters. (That is also the only time I stay hooked to the sewer and leave the grey valve open.)

AFTER my youngest daughter left the house, I installed on demand hot water :) Her shower lasted as long as the 40 gallon hot water tank.

I hope you are talking about your S&B house. I shudder at the thought of an RV with a 40 gallon hot water tank.
wopachop
Explorer
Jul 23, 2019
Interesting stuff. Heading out to the river now where my friend leaves her trailer. Wouldn't be surprised if she leaves the water on 24/7 with no regulator at all.
sgfrye
Explorer
Jul 23, 2019
i fill fresh tank about 1/2 full before we leave home to use on bathroom breaks on the road. when we get to campsite i hook up to campground water with pressure regulator. i have a fresh tank/city water lever on my water hook on TT. i finish filling up fresh tank, turn off campground spigot valve. leave hose connected to TT so i can refill if needed and use fresh tank for our water supply. i have found the water pump gives us better pressure for taking showers than campground water. when we go to bed, and if we leave TT, i turn off water pump so no bad surprises with leak while we sleep or are gone for awhile. works for us. if there is a sudden leak with pump on we will hear it.
philh
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2019
Bobbo wrote:
The only time I hook to shore water is when we are hosting one of the teenage granddaughters. (That is also the only time I stay hooked to the sewer and leave the grey valve open.)

AFTER my youngest daughter left the house, I installed on demand hot water :) Her shower lasted as long as the 40 gallon hot water tank.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2019
The only time I hook to shore water is when we are hosting one of the teenage granddaughters. (That is also the only time I stay hooked to the sewer and leave the grey valve open.)
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2019
I used to use regulators (one park I stay at hits 120PSI Plus from time to time) but they also way over chlorinated the water so I started filling on board (A short time without pressure and the excess bleach dissipates)

Have ever since... Good results.
dave17352
Explorer
Jul 22, 2019
We always run off of tank also. For all the reasons mentioned above. When we still had a herd of kids around then I would use full hookups once settled for the night but I always shut the water off at night for the reasons mentioned above also.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2019
Been using tank/pump exclusively since 2008 due to MAJOR flood while connected to city water with regulator in service.
While sleeping a $0.50 fitting gave way...water ran all night long. $6000+ repairs/costs and 2 weeks out of our lives (we were FTng) PITA!

Flip of a switch and pump is OFF when we go to bed, when we go outside/leave etc.
Consistent pressure/flow regardless of where we go

Refill tank as needed and top off before we go.

ONLY time we needs to be 'conservative' is when boondocking
If at a FHU CG Site...use the pump---let the water run. Fill tank while dumping waste tanks.
It's NOT complicated and after having an indoor swimming pool it eases ones mind.